2016 Burnett Promotion Night

2016 Burnett Promotion Night

Fresh off the field produce was the focus of our fantastic display with many of our regions commodities dominating the table with many of the guests in disbelief that produce could be so fresh.

As you are aware Bree and I attended the Burnett Promotion night along with a number of Bundaberg's prominent businesses to showcase the array of products, services and versatility of our region.

The event, now in its fourth year and the only one of its kind is held in June (Parliamentary sitting week) and hosted during dinner break.

Being a Bi-Partisan evening, we had access to Queensland's Members of Parliament and other invited influential guests that are otherwise difficult to meet with due to busy schedules and parliamentary obligations.

We would like to extend thanks to our two Members of Parliament, Stephen Bennett (Member for Burnett) and the Hon. Leanne Donaldson (Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Member for Bundaberg) for providing us this unique opportunity.

A "hi-five" is being sent to our Members respective staff who, without their coordination and assistance with the Parliamentary kitchen, I may have had to make carrot sticks.

Instead we were able to use 8 varieties of your produce to create some very tasty hors d'oeuvres, including pumpkin soup, cucumber bites,

bruschetta, sweet potato crisps and parmesan salad cups.

The real winners, are our most generous producers. Who at a loss donated produce so we were able to create the display. Without you, we would not be able to promote our region as the #QLDfoodbowl.

BFVG sincerely thanks you for your contribution to the display, taster menu and "dinner" bags:

Having had the opportunity to meet and speak with various Ministers and Members of Parliament including, Minister Grace Grace, Minister Leanne Donaldson, the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition leader, Tim Nicholls.

Conversations ranged from the super-hot topic of the backpacker tax, the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network and opportunity for supermarket price-regulations to mention a few.

We would also like to extend thanks to Perfection Fresh Australia for coordinating the transport from Bundaberg and O'Toole Produce for assisting with delivery from Brisbane Produce Markets to Parliament house.

I am not so confident the produce would have arrived in the same condition had we taken it down in our utes.

In a final bid, all left over produce was very graciously donated to FoodBank Queensland.

Foodbank Queensland rescues edible but surplus food and groceries from the country's farmers, manufacturers and retailers with last year alone they provided 24 million kilograms of food and groceries to over 2,500 charities and 640 schools which is distributed to adults and children in need.